Abbotsford Street, on the corner of Queensberry Street looking south, photographer Stephen Hatcher, 2020.
As the early settlers in some of North & West Melbourne’s Streets were mainly Scots, these streets received Scottish names. Hence Abbotsford Street after the home of Sir Walter Scott built by the river Tweed.
The original name of that place was “Cartley Hole.” The locals twisted this to “Clarty Hole”, meaning “Dirty Hole”. This showed what they thought of the place — a little farm house in 100 acres sprawling sour and neglected in a hollow by the river.
The place was dear to Scott as the site of the last clan battle between his forbears and the Kers in 1526 and as the reputed haunt of Thomas the Rhymer who, 60 years before, had woven into verse the legends and histories of the land, as Scott was to do in his day. So in 1811, at the age of 40, Scott bought the place.
Scott set himself to transform the place and began by renaming it. There had been an abbots’ ford across the shallows of the river, over which the Abbots of nearby Melrose Abbey had driven their cattle centuries before. Hence the new name.
In five years, the 100 acre “Dirty Hole” became an estate of 1000 acres. By banking the river, planting trees of many kinds, and general landscaping Scott created a most colorful scene. Piece by piece, at heavy expense, the present house was built.
By every artistic and architectural standard the house is a monstrosity; but Scott’s life and work have made it one of Scotlands great shrines. It is a museum of Scottish lore with relics of Rob Roy, Flora Macdonald, Queen Mary, Montrose, Claverhouse and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Also housed there is a copy of the first published book of Australian verse. (1)
Source.
(1) Northern Advertiser 28/5/1970. Blanchard collection, “What’s in a Name” at North Melbourne Library.
(2) Melbourne Council Street Card Number #367, street gazetted in 1860 and 1867.
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder William French, Adderley Street West Melbourne
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Constructed 13/10/1880
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Greenwood
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Joseph Over
Constructed 26/10/1869
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Joseph Luckman
Constructed 26/10/1869
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Joseph Luckman
Constructed 11/5/1910
Style Federation: 1890–1915
Builder John Shutt, 16 Kelvin Grv Hawthorn
Constructed Novenmber 1891
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Saunders, 44 Neptune St Richmond
Constructed Novenmber 1891
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder John Saunders, 44 Neptune St Richmond
Constructed 7/5/1860
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder George Black
Previous Address First known as 52, now known as 54 Abbotsford Street.
Constructed 21/9/1859
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder J Lockheard
Constructed 6/2/1860
Builder Edmund Boling, Melbourne
Style Federation: 1890–1915
Constructed 5/7/1864
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder William Ramage, Melbourne
Constructed 17/10/1860
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder William Lander
Constructed 9/4/1859
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder Charles & Duffy, Melbourne
Constructed 6/6/1864
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder John Ramage, Melbourne
Constructed 18/10/1865
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder John O’Brien
Constructed 8/3/1862
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Walter Webster
Constructed 9/2/1866
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder John O’Brien
Constructed 4/4/1866
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Walter Webster
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Constructed 11/3/1865
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Walter Webster
Constructed 13/10/1871
Style Victorian, Late: 1875-1901
Builder James Kilfoy
Constructed 6/3/1873
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder James Kilfoy
Constructed 19/8/1859
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder Robert Bentley, Dudley Street West Melbourne
Constructed 13/11/1860
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder Thomas Smith
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Constructed 22/8/1860
Style Victorian, Early : 1840-1860
Builder Robert Brotherton
Constructed 12/3/1869
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder Reid, Stewart & Duguid, 10 Miller St
Constructed 19/1/1863
Style Victorian, Mid: 1860-1875
Builder William Watson
Previous Address 195 Abbotsford Street before street renumbering
Previous Address Homebush Hotel
Previous Address 237 Abbotsford Street before council street re numbering
Constructed 18/6/1906
Style Federation: 1890–1915
Builder Joseph Diamond – 90 Brunswick Rd Brunswick
Previous Address 239 Abbotsford Street before council street re numbering
Constructed 18/6/1906
Style Federation: 1890–1915
Builder Joseph Diamond – 90 Brunswick Rd Brunswick
Constructed between 1905-1910
